Including - flights, hire car and breakfast on Reunion, transfers, meals and most drinks on Mauritius

From Â£2785
15 nights

DAY 1Fly overnight from London via Mauritius

DAYS 2 and 3Your holiday will start on the island of RÉUNION, dominated by an active volcano in the south east and three extinct craters in the centre. The scenery throughout the island is stunning and the route will allow for exploration by car and on foot. If you wish to be adventurous, rock climbing, canyoning, abseiling, paragliding and helicopter trips can all be enjoyed and, to find places off the beaten track, take a mountain bike into the hills.Collect your hire car and drive around to the western side of the island to SAINT GILLES LES BAINS where, on the sandy beach of Boucon Canot, is Hotel Saint Alexis. Using this as a comfortable base for two nights, you can begin your island discovery with a day trip along the western coast.

DAY 4The next hotel is the charming Vieux Cep in the cirque of CILAOS, a small colourful village with magnificent views of the surrounding mountains including the dormant volcano, Point des Neiges. It is just a one hour stroll up to "La Roche Merveilleuse" for a taste of the scenery and longer trails can also be explored.

DAYS 5 and 6Take the winding road back down the valley and drive south just past ST PIERRE to Palm Hotel on the wild southern coast, overlooking the beautiful coral beach of Grand Anse.From here you should take a day trip into the mountains to Le Pas de Bellecombe. You will drive through 'lunar landscapes' at altitudes higher than 2000m and maybe walk to the top of the crater to peer into the live volcano. A visit to the Museum of Volcanoes in Bourg Murat is worthwhile and includes an impressive film of the most important eruptions around the world.

DAYS 7 and 8Set off early for an action-packed day! A short detour off the coastal road takes you to the sugar cane plantations of La Plaine des Gregues where you can learn about the cutting of the cane today and the old practices of the sugar industry.Carry on to the fishing port of Saint Philippe and walk through the Garden of Spices where the head gardener will explain the endemic plants and spices of Réunion.Drive on further in the afternoon, past the Pointe du Tremblet where the latest eruptions of the active Piton De La Fournaise made the island bigger by another 30 hectares and on to the lava flows of Takamaka.And then turn inland to Salazie, the greenest cirque of the island with more than a hundred waterfalls. In the beautiful village of HELLBURG, full of charm and Creole architecture, is a welcoming little hotel Le Relais Des Cimes.Your last full day on Réunion can be spent up in this beautiful area, perhaps visiting the "Maison Folio", a perfectly restored colonial house and garden, dating from the 19th century, or drive back to Saint Benoit on the east coast to visit the Co-operative de Vanille for an insight into the importance of this 'crop' to the region. Indian culture is strongly visible in the area and the many Tamil temples add to the local colour.

DAYS 9 to 14Your circuit of the island is completed as you continue around the north coast back to the airport.

Now fly to the beautiful island of MAURITIUS where, along a stretch of sandy beach near Bel Ombre on the southern coast is Tamassa. The hotel is set in tropical gardens with a backdrop of dramatic mountains and densely planted sugarcane fields. The vibrant contemporary design along with extras such as movie screenings on the beach at dusk and poolside cocktails, give an effervescent vibe.There are three pools, (four if you count the one in the spa!), plenty of water sports to choose from, bicycles to use for exploring along the coast, tennis courts and beach volleyball on offer and a golf course not far away.A perfect spot for both fun and relaxation!

DAY 15Enjoy your final day before the overnight flight to London

What About?

MAURITIUS boasts some of the world's top resort and spa hotels, Constance Le Prince Maurice, One&Only Le Saint Geran, Lux* Belle Mare, The Residence and Le Touessrok to name a few. It is also a paradise for watersports and there are world class golf courses to be played. Depending on your interests and preferences and the time of year that you wish to travel, we will select the perfect choice for you!

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